We have an experienced shipping team acting for vessel owners, charterers/lessees, financial institutions, insolvency practitioners and government bodies.

Our expertise extends across a number of industry sectors, including commercial shipping, oil & gas, dry bulk, reefers, ferries, work boats, cruise ships and commercial/pelagic fishing, and across a variety of jurisdictions.

Our credentials include the following:

• advising on sale and purchase of vessels, both in the UK and internationally, as well as charterparties, towing and manning contracts;
• advising on acquisition financing and refinancing including s.10 arrangements;
• advising on vessel repair, refit and conversion contracts;
• advising the Scottish Government on the tendering of numerous ferry services, including:
  • Clyde & Hebrides ferry and associated harbour services;
  • lifeline ferry service to Orkney and Shetland;
  • lift-on lift-off freight service to the Northern Isles;
  • proposed subsidised passenger and freight ferry service from Campbeltown to Ballycastle;
• advising both the Department of Gaeltacht, Environment and Rural Affairs in Galway and SEStran on proposals for subsidised ferry services;
• advising receivers and administrators on issues including arrestments, sale of vessels and transfer of licences to fish and fixed quota allocation units; and
• advising on a variety of haulage contracts.